EXPLORE THE TEXT
God calls all people to accept His offer of salvation through faith in Jesus.
1 What then will we say that Abraham, our forefather
according to the flesh, has found?
2 If Abraham was justified by works, he has something
to boast about-but not before God.
3 For what does the Scripture say?
Abraham believed God, and it was credited to him for righteousness.
4 Now to the one who works, pay is not credited as a gift,
but as something owed.
5 But to the one who does not work, but believes
on him who justifies the ungodly,
his faith is credited for righteousness.
Summarize Abraham’s role in the Jewish faith (PSG, p. 34):
“For Jewish people, Abraham personified their conviction
that a person could earn justification by works.
Without a doubt, Abraham gained an esteemed reputation
with everything he had done in his life.
He left his homeland and traveled far away to a new land.
There he and Sarah started a family that grew to
be the nation called Israel.
For Jewish people, his works had earned God’s favor.
Paul, however, argued that before God, Abraham
had no reason to boast about his accomplishments. . . .
[But] Paul’s argument came directly from Scripture.
According to Genesis 15:6,
‘Abram believed the Lord, and he credited it
to him as righteousness.’
Abraham was made right with God because of his faith-
not his works.”
“credited” means adding something to the positive side of a ledger.
However, this transaction was the result of God’s gracious gift,
not a payment for works performed-by Abraham or by us.
Review these points from Apply the Text on page 36 of the Personal Study Guide.
On a scale of one to five, with one being “seldom” and five being “often,” encourage adults to rate the following statements:
Direct adults to work in pairs to discuss the first set of questions on page 36 of the PSG. After a few minutes, allow volunteers to share their thoughts. Encourage adults to share ideas for breaking through those barriers, especially those related to works-based salvation.
Read the lyrics of “Thank You, Lord” (Baptist Hymnal, 2008, No. 582). Close in prayer, thanking God for the gift of salvation. Encourage volunteers to voice a sentence prayer expressing their gratitude to God for His gift of salvation.
During the week, send the group a text or email that encourages them to share something God has done for them in the last day or so. Direct them to read and reflect on the second set of questions from page 36 of the PSG, evaluating the level of grateful humility in their lives. Encourage them to memorize Romans 3:23-24 as a way to remember God’s gift of salvation.
Justification is God’s gracious and full acquittal upon principles of His righteousness of all sinners who repent and believe in Christ. (See 1 Corinthians 1:30; Galatians 2:16.)
Use Bible study tools to learn about key words in Scripture.
Read Genesis 12:1-3 and 15:1-20. Use a Bible dictionary and other Bible study tools to learn more about the meaning of a “covenant.” Read and reflect on Genesis to identify the various elements of a covenant. Answer these questions: How did this covenant ceremony highlight the faith of Abraham? Why do you think that Abraham needed this covenant ceremony to remind him of the promises of God in Genesis 12:1-3?